Biography of Arthur Meighen

Arthur Meighen, many years a prominent business man in Perth, and now deceased, was born near the City of Londonderry, Ireland, in December, 1826. In 1839, having lost his father, he came to Perth, County of Lanark, clerked awhile in a store, and in 1848 went into business for himself. He traded alone until 1867, when he associated with him two younger brothers, William and Robert Meighen, who are still in business here, and among the leading commercial men of the town. He died on the 30th of May, 1874.

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As a merchant and general business man, Mr. Meighen was eminently, if not preeminently successful. From a sketch of him which appeared in the Perth Expositor for June, 4, 1874, we learn that he was clear headed, shrewd, keen and methodical, being of a somewhat rare race of merchants, who, in the face of every difficulty that may arise, are bound to succeed. His character for probity stood high. He was a fair dealer; was never guilty of driving a hard bargain with any one, and retained the confidence and good will of the hundreds of people with whom he had business transactions. His acquaintance was very extensive, and he had the respect of the whole community.

Mr. Meighen was public spirited and backward in no enterprise that would further the interests of the town or county, in which he resided. He was for many years a Justice of the Peace; a Director of the Tay Navigation Company; a member of the School Board at Perth, and treasurer of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church of which he was an active and stable member. His christian character was irreproachable, and he sought the good of all, being a wise adviser, both as regarded moral and business affairs.

In politics he was a Conservative, not seeking office for himself, but laboring zealously to elect his political friends who were candidates. At his death he was President of the South Riding Conservative Association, and for many years had much influence and weight in the party councils. He was very firm in. his political tenets.

When Mr. Meighen was buried more than a thousand people were in attendance, and in the procession which went to the grave, coming from far as well as near, showing how wide was the acquaintance with the deceased and how warm the esteem in which he was held.